Police are searching for a man accused of trying to rob a jewelry store in Montclair on Thursday, Feb. 12. Officers responded just before 7:45 p.m. after the man, who’s believed to be between 40 and 55 years old, tried to rob Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs, 2079 E. Montclair Plaza Ln. in the M ontclair Place mall, according to a Montclair Police statement. About 10 minutes prior, the man entered the store, put down a small bag and walked out to look around before going back inside behind a jewelry case. He then pulled a handgun from his jacket pocket and told a clerk to open the case, police said. The man raised his gun at the employee multiple times and used his flashlight to push the employee before using his gun to shatter the glass case, police said. He tried to grab merchandise from the case, but the employee pushed him out of the business. As he left, a customer hit the man with a chair to try to stop him, but he kept running through the mall, police said. The employee, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Alin, told CBS Los Angeles she was angered by the attack and that Fast-Fix is a family business. “It’s my brother’s store, you know,” she told CBS LA. Alin also told KTLA she wanted to protect the business when she fought off the man. “I was scared, but I had to do something, you know?” she told KTLA. “I was by myself.” Her family, who own the store, told KTLA the man took gold pieces, including diamond rings, gold chains and bracelets. Another shop they own in San Bernardino was previously burglarized, the family said. The gun found at the scene was an inoperable and unloaded BB gun, police said. The man was wearing glasses, a blue face mask, a blue zippered jacket, a light blue button-up shirt, khaki pants, black and white shoes and a gray Kangol hat, police said. The investigation is ongoing. Montclair police ask anyone with information to call 909-621-4771. Tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction could receive a $1,000 reward. Related Articles Riverside pallet fire causes over $700,000 in damage; one firefighter hospitalized FBI: DNA recovered from glove found near Guthrie home that appears to match glove worn by suspect 3 federal agents reported injured in attack during downtown LA demonstration 147 students evacuated from UC Riverside dorm after kitchen fire 9 months after shooting that left her son dead, Moreno Valley mother charged with manslaughter ...read more read less